Valerian

© Steven Foster

This fact sheet provides basic information about valerian—common 

names, what the science says, potential side effects and cautions, and 

resources for more information.

Common Names—valerian, all-heal, garden heliotrope

Latin Name—Valeriana officinalis

Valerian is a plant native to Europe and Asia; it is also found in North 

America. Valerian has been used as a medicinal herb since at least the 

time of ancient Greece and Rome. Its therapeutic uses were described 

by Hippocrates, and in the 2nd century, Galen prescribed valerian for 

insomnia. Today, valerian is used as a traditional remedy for sleep 

disorders and anxiety, as well as headaches, depression, irregular 

heartbeat, and trembling.

The roots and rhizomes (underground stems) of valerian are typically 

used to make supplements, including capsules, tablets, and liquid 

extracts, as well as teas.

What the Science Says 

• Research suggests that valerian may be helpful for insomnia, but 

there is not enough evidence from well-designed studies to 

confirm this.

• There is not enough scientific evidence to determine whether 

valerian works for other conditions, such as anxiety or depression.

• NCCAM-funded research on valerian includes studies on the herb’s 

effects on sleep in healthy older adults and in people with 

Parkinson’s disease. NCCAM-funded researchers are also studying 

the potential of valerian and other herbal products to relieve 

menopausal symptoms.

Side Effects and Cautions 

• Studies suggest that valerian is generally safe to use for short 

periods of time (for example, 4 to 6 weeks).

• No information is available about the long-term safety of valerian.

• Valerian can cause mild side effects, such as tiredness the morning 

after its use, headaches, dizziness, and upset stomach.
• Tell all your health care providers about any complementary health practices you use. Give 

them a full picture of what you do to manage your health. This will help ensure 

coordinated and safe care. For tips about talking with your health care providers about 

complementary and alternative medicine, see NCCAM’s Time to Talk campaign at 

nccam.nih.gov/timetotalk/. 

Sources

Awang DVC, Leung AY. Valerian. In: Coates P, Blackman M, Cragg G, et al., eds. Encyclopedia of Dietary Supplements. New 

York, NY: Marcel Dekker; 2005:687-700.

Office of Dietary Supplements and National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine. Questions and 

Answers About Valerian for Insomnia and Other Sleep Disorders. Office of Dietary Supplements Web site. Accessed at 

ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/valerian/ on June 3, 2010.

Valerian. Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database Web site. Accessed at www.naturaldatabase.com on August 11, 2009.

Valerian (Valeriana officinalis L.). Natural Standard Database Web site. Accessed at www.naturalstandard.com on 

August 4, 2009.

Valerian root (Valeriana officinalis). In: Blumenthal M, Goldberg A, Brinckman J, eds. Herbal Medicine: Expanded

Commission E Monographs. Newton, MA: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins; 2000:394-400.

For More Information

Visit the NCCAM Web site at nccam.nih.gov and view Using Dietary Supplements Wisely

(nccam.nih.gov/health/supplements/wiseuse.htm).

NCCAM Clearinghouse

Toll-free in the U.S.: 1-888-644-6226

TTY (for deaf and hard-of-hearing callers): 1-866-464-3615

E-mail: info@nccam.nih.gov

PubMed®

Web site: www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sites/entrez

NIH Office of Dietary Supplements

Web site: www.ods.od.nih.gov

NIH National Library of Medicine’s MedlinePlus

Valerian Listing: www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/druginfo/natural/870.html

This publication is not copyrighted and is in the public domain. Duplication is encouraged.

NCCAM has provided this material for your information. It is not intended to substitute for the 

medical expertise and advice of your primary health care provider. We encourage you to 

discuss any decisions about treatment or care with your health care provider. The mention of 

any product, service, or therapy is not an endorsement by NCCAM.

National Institutes of Health

♦♦♦

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services

D272

Created May 2006

Updated April 2012